Bookies are fearing a betting massacre after the first two legs of a massive-priced treble won today.
A number of betting firms are facing huge liabilities after two of the three runners won their respective races.
Fire Away, who was 22/1 generally on Saturday, got the gamble off and running when winning the opening 2m4½f novice handicap chase at Musselburgh at evens for trainer Laura Morgan.
The Iain Jardine-trained Blowing Dixie opened at 9/1 on Saturday and won the 2.35pm Betway Casino Handicap at Southwell at 4/6.
Gallahers Cross, who is trained by Daragh Bourke, is the final leg of the gamble and was as big as 40/1 on Saturday night.
He is currently a best priced 4/7 for the bet365 Handicap Hurdle at Musselburgh, which takes place at 4.25pm.
It is understood that a number of bookmakers took various multiple bets on the three horses on Saturday night.
BetVictor head of trading Chris Poole said: "We've taken a lot of multiple bets on three horses, all at very big prices and all at roughly the same time last night.
"That's our worst nightmare because there's nothing we can do about these liabilities. We're stuck with it and we'll lose quite a lot of money. I can't go into figures."
